Too white for a wedding guest dress?

[EndlessCupsofSugaryTea]

I have my eye on this for a spring wedding. I love prints, it’s silk and is in the sale - perfect combination.

However, I showed it to my mother and she said “But it’s white!” in a horrified way. I was bewildered. I don’t believe most people’s first thought on looking at this would be “white”. To me, it’s all about the print - and in any case, the background looks more cream to me.

I love it, but not for the first time, my mother has created a nagging doubt. Would anyone really think I was trying to look remotely bridal in this?

have no concerns that the bride would wear anything similar - she will definitely be going full “Say Yes to the Dress” - but it’s starting to concern me now.

It's lovely dress and if bride is full on bridal big dress you would be more likely not to upset anyone -especially if you get accsessories right.

However in that photo it looks very bride like because it's so white so I can see why your Mum and many other posters think it's not okay.

So personally I'd keep looking but different personality could easily wear that and be unbothered by risk of odd comment/look by other guests.

It's fugly

And very look at meeeeee

I think that the context is critical. And why knowing what type of wedding it's going to be is important these days - as there's so much more variety in what a bride might wear than there used to be.

Nowadays, for a bride having an informal/low-key/second/later-in-life wedding, yes this could be a wedding dress (as could a black goth ballgown, a pink trousersuit, or a sequinned mini - anything goes really!!).

In this instance, however, you will NOT be confused with the bride. And it's absolutely fine & a very pretty dress to wear as a spring/summer wedding guest.

I used to think it would be just those women who are very set on what used to be established bridal tradition that would be the naysayers. But I think Instagram - & the control that some women now want to exert over their photos - maybe plays as much of a part these days?

I don't know really - I just think people who think it's not suitable for the type of wedding you're attending are being daft!! But I think they have, sadly, managed to put you off the dress now ...

Why do you ask that?

Is it because neurodivergent people don't tend to have ridiculous rules about dresses?

Genuine question.

Oh I think it’s lovely in navy especially with the bright accessories echoing the flower colours.
I’m on team too white for a wedding. I’d totally wear the white version as a bride who wouldn’t want to look too over the top or princess less.

This one is also lovely.

Any bride who feels the ‘shine’ is taken off her day because of a guest’s dress has far bigger problems than a guest’s dress.

Very good point below about people wanting control of photographs.

With deep pink accessories, pashmina, shoes, hat, it could be lovely but you need the deeper colour imo.

Having said that, people wear green to weddings nowadays when I was always told that was absolutely not an option.

There is no fake confusion.

There may be some fake accounts though…

I wouldnt. Let the bride be the only one in white

Only with a jacket otherwise its basically a white dress with the wedding bouquet thrown at it.

So MANY other colour dresses you could buy.

Please don't. I'm #teamMum 100%.

It's a beautiful dress, but to be honest, it has a whiff of bridal about it, so I definitely wouldn't wear it as a guest (I would as the bridge though!)

I'm with your mum, this isn't suitable for a wedding - I can see why you like it though, it's lovely. Also, that initial comment you asked for clarification on was absolutely ambiguous and I'm with you on that.

There are tonnes of articles online about this.
This one sums it up quite well:

www.easyweddings.co.uk/articles/wedding-guest-to-wear-white/

Don’t buy it then.

I wasn’t actually asking if people liked it.

Tricky, though. "You can literally wear any other colour!"
Except cream. Too much like white.
Or black. Looks like you're mourning.
Or red. Too eye-catching.
Or green. Signifies jealousy.
Not pale yellow, looks like cream.

Oh, and don't match the bridesmaids. (I did this at the last one I went to; how was I to know?)

It's like the bastard language of flowers. Only some people know it, but god help you if you give one of them a wrong-colour bouquet!

100% agree

God no. Too bridal

Its gorgeous.
I think the only possible issue is the centre of the dress doesnt have a lot of print on it.
With a bright pink jacket, shoes , costume jewelley or even a belt or hat(?!) you could easily draw the eye away from the whiteness /ivory of the middle.
Is there the same amount of print to the back?

Traditionally guests dont wear white or ivory to wedding as thats reserved for the bride.
But providing the back of the dress isnt completely white/no print i think its fine particularly with the right accessories .
2 most recent wedding invites ive received have also requested the guests not wear the same colour as the bridal party/ bridesmaids, which i did roll my eyes at tbh!

Yes I always wear sackcloth to weddings and hit myself with a stick in case anyone thinks I'm getting above myself

Well if it was a case of look at meeeee OP wouldn’t be having second thoughts and asking opinions here would she ?

You lot must be fun

HOW CAN SOMEONE WEARING A DRESS RUIN A WEDDING